The setting aside of a day each year to honor mothers was the suggestion of Anna M. Jarvis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose own mother had died on May 9, 1906. She held a memorial service and asked those attending to wear white carnations—a gesture that soon became a tradition. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson had proclaimed a national day in honor of mothers, and some people still wear carnations on the second Sunday in May—pink or red for mothers who are living and white for those who have died. More…Discuss

Just a thought: Because the doing of the being tends to go on and on, the mind needs to remind the doing that it’s nothing without being…and needs to empty itself of noise, in order to hear the silence before. -George-B

This is a national holiday in Armenia, celebrated each year on April 7. It comes not long after another national holiday,Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8. Women’s Day is meant to honor all women, but Motherhood and Beauty Day is dedicated especially to those who have become mothers. Children and adults alike show their affection for their mothers with special visits, cards, and gifts. Sending flowers to one’s mother is an especially popular way to mark this holiday. Another tradition associated with the day is the gift of a twig that has fresh sprouts on it. More…Discuss

Mothers are often criticized for “babying” their youngest child, but we should cut them some slack—they may not be able to help it. Researchers say mothers can estimate the height of their older children with a fair degree of accuracy but consistently underestimate the height of their youngest child by an average of 3 inches (7.5 centimeters). This height illusion could be an adaptive mechanism that makes mothers more likely to nurture and protect what are typically their most vulnerable offspring. More…